Trample the weak, hurdle the dead

I was recently told not to compete in an upcoming powerlifting competition by a friend because I "won't win". Probably not. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee, without a shadow of a doubt, that I won't win the competition. There are guys in 3 weight classes below me putting up 500+ lbs more in their totals. But this still doesn't matter to me. The one reason I started training for powerlifting is to be a better, much stronger version of myself. Before I started seriously training, I was lucky to squat 90 lbs. for reps. Not even 6 months later, I'm squatting 250 lbs for reps, and 301 for a max. And this is after having to reassess my form because I wasn't going low enough. 

I've encountered multiple people in my life who love to tell me that I can't do something. Maybe it's because they don't believe in my abilities, they don't trust that I can give something 100% intensity, or maybe they're just reflecting their own insecurities onto me. Regardless of the reasoning, FUCK 'EM! I'm not training for you. I'm training for myself. If I want to compete and get blown out of the water, why do you care? Let me worry about that.

The overall point is that you need not worry about the affairs of others. If you're trying to do something and someone comes along and tries to put you down, tell them to eat shit. Keep your eyes to the prize. You want to squat 500 lbs? Work for it. You want to buy a fancy new BMW? Work for it. You want to be a great basketball player? Work for it. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something. Only you can determine that for yourself.

I'm continuously growing and building myself to be an animal, and I know that this is only the beginning. I have a great support system at home, and I've just met a group of guys that I hope to become great friends with, who will help me get to where I need to be. My goal is to compete later this year, and to smash my personal records into oblivion. I will be stronger, because I can be stronger. Keep that mentality with you always. Don't settle.

One-man Wolf Pack

Lately, I've come to the realization that lifting alone has really been my favorite way to lift. I still enjoy going with a partner. My girlfriend is with me the majority of the time, but she often does other exercises. But when I'm alone, I really get focused in on the goal, which is to smash weight and get reps in.

Don't mind me. Just brought some gains for the trip.

Like I said, it's still nice to go with someone from time to time. You get to shoot the shit, give each other motivation, and challenge each other. It could really be useful in getting that 1RM when you have someone else yelling in your face and pumping you up. But for me, nothing is better than putting my headphones in and blasting some really evil, aggressive shit. Stuff that makes you want to break every mirror in the weight room with your face. Recently, I've been blasting Ringworm's 'Hammer of the Witch'. Put that on and try not to get pumped.

Mainly, though, you should do what works for you. If you need another person there to not feel awkward, do it. If you like to lift with a group, do it. Whatever is going to make you more motivated. Just don't be that group of assholes who sit on the bench for 15 minutes between sets talking about whatever it was you were going to say to that girl squatting more than you, but you were too big of a pussy to do it. Get in, get big, get gone.

And that's the bottom line. Stay angry.

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Good Riddance, Planet Weakness

Finally out of there, and on to greener pastures. Actually, blacker pastures, since the weights aren't purple and yellow at my new place.

Keeping it grim in the gym.

Now let me preface this by saying that I know PF has a horrible reputation in the powerlifting world, so I should have avoided it in the first place. But before I was bitten by the iron bug, I wasn't planning on getting in the gym 4-5 times a week to push up heavy weights. I wanted to get "in shape" by going maybe twice a week, doing some benching, dumbbells, and cardio. Now, I say death to cardio, give me some heavy fucking weights to move. So, that's my explanation as to why I went there in the first place. Essentially a stepping stone, and now that part of my life is over.

Moving on, my new gym is a small outfit in Milford, OH, called MAC (Miami Athletic Club). By no means is it a powerlifting gym, but they allow PL training there, so I'll take what I can get for the price I'm paying. My lifts were surprisingly higher than I expected them to be, hitting a 245 squat, 255 deadlift, and 165 bench. My squat on a smith machine (BLASPHEMY!) was at 200 lbs., and it was uncomfortable. Not a great range of motion when you're moving straight up and down on a track. I've never really had the pleasure of deadlifting for multiple sets, so it was sort of new to me. Felt good pulling it, though. Bench has always been a weak spot for me, so 165 wasn't too horrible. The last time I was under the bar, I was just doing 135 at 3x8. So I feel pretty great about it.

I sense that being able to move to this gym and hit the free bars is going to spike my gains, and I can't wait. Time to get some strength into these measly muscles and feel the power of the iron gods.

-Stay strong